Yuri Norstein is one of the great artists in the history of animated film. His blend of whimsical and bold imagery, his keen eye for the allegorical, and his mastery of an array of techniques – from stop-motion to impressionistic pencil sketches and his patented “glass panel” animation – have written his name in animation folklore. Klassiki presents three of his Soviet-era shorts, each showcasing his unique understanding of the magical potential of moving images. The Battle of Kherzenets (1971), co-directed with Ivan Ivanov-Vano, draws on medieval frescos and opera in its recreation of the legend of “Russia’s Atlantis”. The Heron and the Crane (1974) is a humorous little tale of amorous indecision and self-destruction made with his wife Francesca Yarbusova. The Hedgehog in the Fog (1976) is one of Norstein’s most beloved creations: the seemingly simple, childlike tale of woodland creatures that opens up into something disturbing and sublime.